SBP PAID UP PROVISION UPDATE 07:

Retired members who have been paying SBP premiums for at least 30 years (360 months) and have reached at least age 70 on Oct. 1, were to be considered “paid-up” and have no more premiums deducted from their retired pay.  NAUS and FRA have received many phone calls and emails from their members who believe they are qualified yet are still having the premiums deducted.  According to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) an appeal process is being developed for beneficiaries who believe they qualify for “paid up” status but are still having their SBP premium deducted from their retired pay.  DFAS has assured that any beneficiary who is qualified for “paid up” status and had premiums deducted from their retired pay will be provided a full refund.  A reason you may not be qualified is that you lost your spouse and your account was placed on hold status until you remarried.  The date you remarried is NOT the start date for resumption of SBP premiums.  That does not occur until one year after the new marriage. Also any payments you may have made for the Retired Servicemembers Family Protection Program (RSFPP), the program in effect prior to SBP, do not count towards the paid-up provision. There are several other instances that may affect your account.  To check on these, go to the DFAS Retiree Newsletter at  http://www.dfas.mil/rna-news/october2008/paid-uprsfppandsbpupdate.html or call DFAS at 1-800-321-1080.  Be advised that your wait may be long as the phone system at DFAS has been overwhelmed lately.

 [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 21 Nov 08 ++]